Less-invasive molecular tests to find Barrett's esophagus and early esophageal cancer
Official title: Minimally Invasive Molecular Approaches for the Detection of Barrett’s Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
Funded at Mayo Clinic Arizona · NIH-11164271 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project builds less-invasive molecular tests plus AI risk tools to help find Barrett's esophagus and early esophageal cancer in people with reflux or other risk factors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project start | July 2, 2019 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $678,428 |
| NIH project number | 2R01CA241164-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11164271 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with chronic gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), longstanding reflux risk factors, or other risk factors for Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma would be the main candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People already diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer or those who cannot undergo minimally invasive sampling due to severe swallowing problems or strictures are unlikely to benefit from these screening approaches.
What this research studies
You may be offered simple, less-invasive sampling (for example a swallowable sponge or small cytologic sample) instead of a full endoscopy, combined with molecular lab tests that look for abnormal cells. The team combines those lab results with an AI-powered risk tool that uses your electronic health record to identify people at higher risk of Barrett’s or early cancer. The approach is designed to overcome missed areas from standard biopsies and the limits of current guideline-based screening that misses many people who have disease. If successful, this would make screening cheaper, easier, and more accurate so more cases are found early.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let more people be diagnosed earlier with Barrett’s or early esophageal cancer using simpler, lower-cost tests and targeted endoscopy.
How similar studies have gone: Related minimally invasive approaches (for example the Cytosponge) and some molecular markers have shown promise and AI risk models have improved prediction, but combining molecular sampling with AI-guided screening for routine use is still being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Arizona
Scottsdale, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iyer, Prasad G. — Mayo Clinic Arizona
- Study coordinator: Iyer, Prasad G.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.